What Wireless Phone options are there for my C230 Coupe?

Taking possession of the car this morning, White C7 with CD-Changer, from dealer inventory.

However My dealer quoted me $1800 for either the Timeport or the V.60 Phone installed. I choose not to have either installed as that seemed very high. I did however like the integration with the stereo and console computer screen. As a gadget geek controlling the phone from the Steering wheel is very cool. However my fiscal sense can't get past the price.

Are there other options for getting the MB phones installed much cheaper?

Are there other phones that can be integrated into the C230?

My old car had(has) a StarTAC installed by AT&T cost under $500 for phone, car kit installed, antenna, and desk top chargers.

FYI – The C230 is a great value. My 1st MB after 3 BMW, and I am looking forward to the MB experience.

 

From what I read around different sites, the MB phone is the only one that will work. Motorola made an arrangement with MB that they will be the only company that will provide MB phones. I work for motorola so I did some investigation, and in fact that was confirmed. Maybe somewhere there is a phone the "accidentally" works with the MB system, but according to motorola that should not happen.

 

Congrats on your new C230, edvpt. I really like the white with C7 package. Let us know how you like it.

Yes, MB highly values their cell phone package. I couldn't get past the price, either. My poor man's solution works just as well. I have a Sprint PCS with voice activated dialing (Samsung 8500). I purchased the handsfree kit for it, along with the simple magnetic mount from the Sprint store. $60 out the door. (The CCM handsfree unit from Car Toys was junk).

Visually not as PC as the MB package, but functionally works just as well (albeit no steering wheel controls). I just open the Flip in its mount, the little lady says, "Who would you like to call?" and I simply speak into the microphone. Close the flip to terminate the call. Bingo.

 

MB-BOB, How do you have that Mounted? Is it sticking up in the middle behind the shifter? If so, does it make shifting awkward? I also have a Sprint PCS phone, and was thinking about one of those Hand's free devices.

 

The amp/speaker draws power from the cigarette lighter in the console. The gimble mount it sits on is just the right height, tall enough to clear the wood trim and no taller. You can lean the unit back towards the arm rest if desired, with speaker pointing at your right leg. In this position, you have ready access to the volume control, too. The unit does not interfere with the Touchshift on the automatics, but I imagine it could get in the way with the 6-spd, just because it's in the neighborhood.

The coil cord from the unit connects to the Samsung 8500 via only one, well-built connector (bottom of the flip... the "CCM" unit from Car Toys has two unwieldy, and flimsy, connectors--junk).

I left the remote microphone packaged in its twist tie bundle and plugged it into the speaker unit, and used the mic's clip to attach the assembly to the coil cord, microphone pointing up. It picks up your voice just fine, and the unit is now portable for use in another car as needed.

The only real challenge is to locate the flip phone somewhere so you can operate the flip with one hand. Sprint store has this nifty magnetic mount (1.5" x 1.5" x .75") that you can press adhere to the dash to the right of the radio. But I didn't want to permanently mount the unit to the dash. So, I made an L-shaped bracket that is velcroed to the inside right vertical wall of the sunglass cubbyhole (below the radio). The magnetic mount is cemented to the bottom of the L and displaces the flip phone to the right, away from the other dash controls.

The whole unit is pretty elegent for what it is, and it works fine. No, it's not built-in, but it's not $1800 either. Definitely stop by the Sprint store. I was surprised to see that their stuff is better made and not any more expensive than the aftermarket junk at the car stereo stores.

As soon as I take the film to the store, I'll post some pictures. Or, Rev, if you're in Addison during the weekday, sometime, we could meet for lunch somewhere and swap stories/lies, etc.

 

I'm getting a Motorola Timeport p8767 phone, will it be able to be hooked up ina c230?

 

Not unless you are buying it from Mercedes - all MB cars require an MB chipped phone to operate as a component in the fully integrated set up.

 

ok thanks

 

Hey MB BOB, do you have pics of your Sprint PCS install?

 

Right now I have a car kit for my Nokia 8290 that I installed into my C230K. I used a Pro-Fit mount.

If you're unfamiliar, check them out at http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/ they make custom cell phone mounts for all kinds of cars that look really good installed. Also, there's no need to drill into the car like you would for a pedestal coming up from the passenger side, so if you're on a lease or something, there's no damage done, and it's easily removed.

Anyways... though I don't have any steering wheel control functionality that I would have with the MB kit, I do have the kit connected to the radio mute so when a call comes in (or I dial) the radio and multi-function display read "MUTED" - which I think is pretty cool. If you have a CD on, then it pauses the CD. And I have the phone that I wanted and the service provider I wanted. Also, it's MUCH easier to use the phone where I have it mounted than from in the arm rest. My mom's car has the TimePort and she always leaves it in the car when she gets out because it's such a PITA to put in and take out... Mine just drops in and pulls right out. No cables to attach.

I just got a new phone, Motorola V70 (and car kit) and will be installing that as soon as I figure out where the prewired antenna lead is located (if anyone knows - PLEASE inform me!!!) and I will install that. I'll take photos along the way and I'll create a little phone install tutorial for those who are interested in taking on a similar install.

 

This information may not help you at all, but anyway. here in Aus, the car came with the phone kit already installed, ready to fit a nokia 5110, 6110, 6210, 6310 style phone. I happened to have an old 5110 lying around, and plugged it in, and away it worked, even with the steering wheel controls.

I don't know how popular Nokia phones are in your neck of the woods, or whether the US MB market is tied up with Motorola, but this may be another cheap option...

5110's are available here for less than A$100 (US$50), and genuine Nokia kits are A$300 (US$150)

Willow